Versioning
Versioning is the process of assigning unique names or numbers to different versions of a software product or document. It helps developers and users track changes, manage releases, and understand what updates have been made. A standard versioning method is semantic versioning (SemVer), which uses a three-part format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH (e.g., 2.1.3). Each number signals the level of change—major for breaking changes, minor for feature additions, and patch for bug fixes.
Versioning makes collaboration easier by clearly indicating software states over time. It’s used in codebases, APIs, file systems, and platforms like Amazon S3 to manage multiple versions of the same object. While versioning names the changes, version control systems like Git store and manage those changes across teams. Both are essential in modern software development. A clear versioning strategy ensures better communication, easier debugging, and more stable software delivery.